Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1887-05-06
TO KATE FIELD.
A High Tribute Paid HOr by the
Portland SGNeWS.o

A High Tribute Paid HOr by the
Portland EENews.n
The Portland NelUS of the Sd has the
following complimentary notice of Miss
Kate Field, who is now in this CITY:
'No woman ever performed nobler
service in the cause of her own sex and
of humanity in general than Miss Kate
Field has done and is doing for the re-
generation of Utah. 1t was eminently
appropriate that on Saturday night, as
announced III our dispatches, the
Woman's Relief corps of Salt Lake CITY,
and in fact all the public spirited GEN
tiles of the place, should turn out to do
her honor. An elaborate badge of the
order, set with diamonds was presented
to her, which no one is more entitled to
wear than herself. During a former
visit TO the Mormon Territory Miss Field
familiarized herself thoroughly with the
situation. She made personal investiga-
tons, conferred with leading Mormon
men and women, studied their literature
and listened to their preaching. The re-
suits of her labors are Incorporated in a
series of lectures, which she has been
delivering in the principal Eastern cities.
lit was no ordinary mission which she
went out upon. The excitement which
her denunciations produced among the
"Sainis" themselves was the best proof
of the truth OF her charges. The Nor
mon press and priesthood Joined in
characteristic abuse of the courageous
woman, who remainded Indifferent TO
threats and cajolery alike. Indignation
at the atrocities committed in Utah only
inspired her to speak the words that
burned within her. Thousands have
listened to her glowing language as she
depicted the past and present horrors
that have originated with the polygamous
priesthood, and her hearers have caught
some of the spirit of her words tipped
with fire. In the general awakening of
the public conscience ofthe United States
to the miserable institution that has so
long dlsgraced the Great Basin of the
West, history should accord all due
honor to the efforts of this brave woman.
There is no cause that appeals so
strongly to all womanly instincts as the
overthrow of Mormon polygamy. All
the sacred associations that cluster about
the Anglo-SaXon idea of home are abol-
ished from the polygamous households,
where womanhood is degraded to level
with the beasts. There have been plenty
of men before her who have appealed TO
the moral sense of the country, and occa-
sionally apostate Mormon women have
attempted to arouse the public to a true
of the Mormon situation.
But Miss Field is the first Gentle woman
who has entered upon a vigorous and
successful crusade against the system,
and her labors are fully appreciated by
both the Mormons and Gentiles of Utah, /
as shown by the abuse from the former
and the honor from the latter during her
present visit to Salt Lake CITY. Miss 1
Field has deservedly won the gratitude
Of the Americans in that city, and it is
pleasant to note that they have shown
their appreciation.
The Utah contest has been a tedious
and bitter fight, but daylight is breaking
at last, and it is only question of time
before peace and prosperity will reign in
the Valley OF the Great Salt Lake. The I